Runner Duck Hatch-a-Long! 2021

[JoJoM]

It’s okay. I figured I would do it quick. no external pips yet.
I took the hygrometer/thermometer out and reset. It’s showing the same reading once I put it back in. But when it was out it did adjust to my house temp and humidity so either the hygrometer is off or my incubator is doing a really good job at keeping the humidity consistent.
time will tell! I did throw another hygrometer in there when I went back in, just to be sure.

ahhh so stressful.

It IS stressful! The next three days will be torture. Did you lock down the morning or evening on day 25? I wonder if it matters too much. I think I’ll do it tonight when it’s dark enough to do a thorough candle.
I’m seeing lots of movement in my pekin eggs air cell although they haven’t broken through the membrane yet. I only see that in one of 3 of my blue runner eggs. They’re all smaller than the pekin and haven’t been able to see much in those the last several day - just darkness and the odd vein! Hopefully they’re okay in there.

 

[AAcres]

It IS stressful! The next three days will be torture. Did you lock down the morning or evening on day 25? I wonder if it matters too much. I think I’ll do it tonight when it’s dark enough to do a thorough candle.
I’m seeing lots of movement in my pekin eggs air cell although they haven’t broken through the membrane yet. I only see that in one of 3 of my blue runner eggs. They’re all smaller than the pekin and haven’t been able to see much in those the last several day - just darkness and the odd vein! Hopefully they’re okay in there.

I put them down in lockdown at the same time I initially set them in the incubator. Which for me was 11am. So the night before was when I candled and checked on everyone and put a little X with a pencil where the egg should face up.
Then the next day I set them into lockdown at 11am.
I didn't see much in my blue runner eggs either. It's all dark in there!
Now it's just sitting and waiting.

 

[graypes]

I cannot wait to see y'alls blue runners!!!! they are one of my all-time faves

 

[graypes]

Ugh, I’m going to drive myself nutty.
I don’t think my hygrometer/thermometer is working right anymore. it’s not the one attached to the incubator, it’s a separate dual unit.

When I switched everyone over to lockdown (like took out the egg turner and added some sponges for water) the thermometer portion of the unit went to 97 degrees and stayed there. it was never accurate for temp, so I do have a reptile thermometer in there that is accurate, but it never sat at 97 degrees and is way off now. and the hygrometer portion is, I think, stuck at 59%. so now I feel like I’ll never know what the humidity is.
I do have another hygrometer, is it okay to open the lid for a split second to throw it in?
plus I think i’ll have to calibrate it first... gah!

oh no! I just saw this! Yes you're totally fine to pop that lid and throw it in! you could salt test the hygrometer in there already too just take it out and see if its still any good!

 

[JoJoM]

Locked down! I candled all of them and see movement in all 8. Fingers crossed they all hatch. I think I see an internal pip in one of the pekin, isn't it way too early for that?

 

[AAcres]

I cannot wait to see y'alls blue runners!!!! they are one of my all-time faves

oh! oops! I thought we were talking about the colour of the eggs hahahaha oh man.
I’m not hatching blue runners but they are pretty!

 

[AAcres]

View attachment 2596673View attachment 2596674

Locked down! I candled all of them and see movement in all 8. Fingers crossed they all hatch. I think I see an internal pip in one of the pekin, isn't it way too early for that?

I’m not expert but I don’t think it’s totally uncommon..?
I saw shadowing in one of mine before setting it for lock down. not a beak poking on the inside though.

 

[AAcres]

It’s currently night of day 26. nothing happening yet. fingers crossed i’ll see some sort of activity tomorrow!
I haven’t candled the eggs since putting them in lockdown so I have no idea how anyone is doing.

 

[graypes]

It’s currently night of day 26. nothing happening yet. fingers crossed i’ll see some sort of activity tomorrow!
I haven’t candled the eggs since putting them in lockdown so I have no idea how anyone is doing.

All of mine were waaaay late so don't stress out too much! You're doing great!

 

[AAcres]

All of mine were waaaay late so don't stress out too much! You're doing great!

thanks! I needed to hear that!

how late are yours?